The Simple Way
{{Use American English|date=January 2025}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2020}}
{{Infobox organization
| name = The Simple Way
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| formation = January 1998
| founder = Shane Claiborne and five other Eastern University graduates
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| purpose = To emulate Jesus
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| location = Kensington, Philadelphia
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| website = {{URL|www.thesimpleway.org/}}
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The Simple Way is a non-profit in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States.
History
Shane Claiborne and five other Eastern University graduates founded an intentional communitySider et al. (2008), p. 102. when they moved into a terraced house in the neighborhood of Kensington in January 1998. Radix, [https://www.radixmagazine.com/2022/04/09/the-simple-way-neighbourly-love-hospitality-and-showing-up/ The Simple Way: Neighbourly Love, Hospitality and Showing Up], radixmagazine.com, USA, April 9, 2022Guzder (2011), p. 255. They purposely started the community in the poorest area of the city, which was a place where there were no existing local churches.Mobsby & Adams (2009), p. 28. They did not apply for funding from mission agencies.Wilson-Hartgrove (2008), p. 24. Since then, the community has transitioned into a local non-profit. Current activities of The Simple Way include planting gardens, running a store, and working for food security in the neighborhood.Cannon & Perkins (2009), p. 141. When a law was passed that prohibited distribution of food on streets in the city, The Simple Way avoided breaking the new law by instead distributing the Eucharist, which is not considered food after it has been blessed.Sweet (2015), p. 149. The community is part of the New Monasticism movement.
Singer-songwriter Dar Williams has been affiliated with the community since 1999, and has held a benefit concert to raise money for it.{{Cite news|work=Spin|title=The Real Human Shield|page=92|author=Schone, Mark|date=July 2003}} In his book The Way of Jesus: Re-Forming Spiritual Communities in a Post-Church Age, Toby Jones writes that The Simple Way provides "an authentic, albeit human, look at living the way of Jesus".Jones (2010), p. 25. John Avant writes about The Simple Way in his book If God Were Real: A Journey into a Faith That Matters, calling the community "a pretty incredible group".Avant (2009), p. 36.
References
{{Reflist}}
Bibliography
- {{Cite book|author=Avant, John|title=If God Were Real: A Journey into a Faith That Matters|publisher=Simon & Schuster|year=2009|isbn=978-1439100851}}
- {{Cite book|author=Cannon, Mae Elise|author2=John M. Perkins|title=Social Justice Handbook: Small Steps for a Better World|publisher=InterVarsity Press|year=2009|isbn=978-0830837151}}
- {{Cite journal|author=Elliot-Hart, Teri|title=Challenges to Discipleship in the Context of Contemporary Consumer Culture|journal=Reaching for the New Jerusalem: A Biblical and Theological Framework for the City|editor1=Seong Hyun Park |editor2=Aida Besancon Spencer|year=2013|publisher=Wipf and Stock|isbn=978-1621898191}}
- {{Cite book|author=Guzder, Deena|title=Divine Rebels: American Christian Activists for Social Justice|year=2011|publisher=Chicago Review Press|isbn=978-1569768709}}
- {{Cite book|author=Jones, Toby|title=The Way of Jesus: Re-Forming Spiritual Communities in a Post-Church Age|year=2010|publisher=Wipf and Stock|isbn=978-1608991525}}
- {{Cite book|author=Mobsby, Ian|author2=Ian Adams|title=New Monasticism|journal=Ancient Faith, Future Mission: Fresh Expressions in the Sacramental Traditions|editor1=Steven Croft |editor2=Ian Mobsby |editor3=Stephanie Spellers|year=2009|publisher=Church Publishing|isbn=978-1596272224}}
- {{Cite book|author=Sider, Ronald J.|author2=Perkins, John|author3=Tizon, F. Albert|title=Linking Arms, Linking Lives: How Urban-Suburban Partnerships Can Transform Communities|publisher=Baker Publishing Group|year=2008|isbn=978-1441201874}}
- {{Cite book|author=Sweet, Leonard|title=From Tablet to Table: Where Community Is Found and Identity Is Formed|publisher=NavPress|year=2015|isbn=978-1612917801}}
- {{Cite book|author=Wilson-Hartgrove, Jonathan|author-link=Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove|title=New Monasticism: What It Has to Say to Today's Church|publisher=Brazos Press|year=2008|isbn=978-1441201362}}
{{Shane Claiborne}}
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Category:Christian monasticism
Category:Neighborhood associations
Category:Counterculture communities
Category:Housing cooperatives in the United States
Category:Kensington, Philadelphia
Category:1998 establishments in Pennsylvania